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Celebrating the twentieth anniversary of "The Things They Carried"

By Alicia Dietrich

2010 marks the twentieth anniversary of the publication of Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried, a ground-breaking meditation on war, memory, imagination, and the redemptive power of storytelling. The book depicts the men of Alpha Company: Jimmy Cross, Henry Dobbins, Rat Kiley, Mitchell Sanders, Norman Bowker, Kiowa, and the character Tim O’Brien, who has survived his tour in Vietnam to become a father and writer at the age of 43.

The Ransom Center acquired the archive of the National Book Award–winning writer in 2007, and a finding aid for the collection is available online. Also, read what O’Brien has to say about his papers residing at the Ransom Center.

Please click the thumbnails below to view full-size images.

O'Brien's Bronze Star in presentation folder.

O'Brien's purple heart medal in original presentation box.

Snapshot of O'Brien in Vietnam. Unknown date and photographer.

Manuscript page from "Stockings" chapter of The Things They Carried, hand-corrected by Tim O'Brien.

Snapshot of O'Brien in Vietnam. Unknown date and photographer.

Jacket cover design for "The Things They Carried."

Typescript page from "Ambush" chapter of "The Things They Carried" with annotations by O'Brien. He changes the title of the chapter, noting "This chapter is one I must keep. I like it. Sorry."

Jacket cover design for "The Things They Carried."

Jacket proof for "The Things They Carried" cover design signed by O'Brien.